p.13
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What are transmission precautions used for?
For patients known or suspected to be infected with highly transmissible pathogens.
p.13
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What is the purpose of transmission precautions?
To prevent transmission of specific infectious diseases.
p.6
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What can cause endogenous infections?
Normal patient colonized skin flora or fecal matter from the gastrointestinal tract.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What factors affect how long a pathogen survives on surfaces?
Total volume of fluid, type of surface, temperature, and humidity.
p.20
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
How often should high touch surfaces in clinical areas be cleaned?
Throughout the day, with a minimum frequency of every 4 hours.
p.18
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is a key step when using a P2/N95 respirator?
Fit checking the respirator.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
How do surgical masks contribute to infection control?
Surgical masks reduce contamination of aseptic fields by droplets from the nose or mouth of the healthcare worker.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What type of protection do face shields and protective eyewear provide?
They protect the healthcare worker's mucous membranes (eyes, nose, and mouth) from splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
When are sterile surgical gowns required?
Sterile surgical gowns are worn in more complex procedures where accidental contamination of key parts or sites could occur.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is crucial to avoid during the donning and doffing of PPE?
Inadvertently contaminating the PPE or contaminating hands, face, or clothing.
p.8
Hand Hygiene Practices
What is a key aspect of hand hygiene in IPC?
Preventing transfer of pathogens to patients and healthcare workers.
p.8
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What should be done in case of process failure in managing reusable medical devices?
An escalation process should be followed.
p.15
Standard and Transmission Precautions
When are transmission precautions used?
In addition to standard precautions for specific infectious diseases.
p.14
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
When are transmission precautions implemented?
In addition to standard precautions when extra barriers are required.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the hierarchy of controls model?
A framework used to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the first level of the hierarchy of controls?
Elimination of the hazard.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What comes after elimination in the hierarchy of controls?
Substitution of the hazard with a safer alternative.
p.20
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What type of product should be used for cleaning high touch surfaces?
A detergent and disinfectant product or a two-step clean.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
How is cleaning achieved in healthcare environments?
By physically wiping the surface with a product containing a surfactant.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
Why are gloves important in aseptic techniques?
Gloves protect the hands of the healthcare worker from contamination with blood or body fluids.
p.13
Standard and Transmission Precautions
When are transmission precautions implemented?
In addition to standard precautions.
p.9
Hand Hygiene Practices
What is required for a Surgical hand scrub?
The use of TGA approved antimicrobial surgical skin cleanser or surgical waterless hand rub formulation.
p.6
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What are common sources of exogenous infections?
Healthcare worker's hands, uniform, respirator secretions, contaminated water or food.
p.20
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What is a cleaning requirement for non-clinical areas in healthcare?
Cleaning following each episode of patient care.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is the purpose of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in healthcare?
To ensure everybody's safety.
p.1
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
In which settings do healthcare associated infections (HAIs) occur?
General practice, dental clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health.
p.20
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended during cleaning?
Gloves and protective eyewear, along with hand hygiene after cleaning.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the last level of the hierarchy of controls?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the worker.
p.9
Hand Hygiene Practices
Where can you find videos on Hand Hygiene?
On the Hand Hygiene section of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website.
p.15
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
Which diseases are mentioned in relation to transmission precautions?
Influenza, Pneumonia, Whooping Cough, Bacterial Meningitis.
p.12
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What are standard precautions?
The primary strategy for minimizing the risk of transmission of pathogenic microbes that may cause healthcare-associated infections.
p.18
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is the purpose of donning and doffing PPE?
To ensure proper protection and minimize the risk of infection.
p.18
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What precautions are covered in the donning and doffing videos?
Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is the purpose of hats in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
Hats reduce contamination of aseptic fields and are worn in more complex procedures.
p.12
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is essential for protecting healthcare workers and patients during procedures?
Correct selection and use of personal protective equipment.
p.8
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the primary responsibility of infection prevention and control (IPC)?
It is everyone's responsibility, with all healthcare workers playing an important role.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
When should sterile gloves be changed during a procedure?
Sterile gloves must be changed if they are accidentally contaminated during the procedure.
p.15
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What are transmission precautions?
Measures used for patients known or suspected to be infected with highly transmissible pathogens.
p.15
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What is the purpose of transmission precautions?
To provide extra barriers to prevent the transmission of specific infectious diseases.
p.6
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is an exogenous infection?
An infection that originates from another source.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
How can hepatitis A be transmitted?
Through faecal/oral transmission.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
Why is routine cleaning essential in healthcare facilities?
It is a standard precaution to keep staff and patients safe.
How can the chain of infection be broken?
By interrupting any link in the chain.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What is required for the removal of pathogens?
Thorough cleaning followed by disinfection or a combined two-in-one process.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
Why is cleaning essential for disinfection?
Organic matter and residue can prevent disinfectants from working.
p.1
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
Who is at risk for healthcare associated infections (HAIs)?
Patients, staff, and visitors.
p.1
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
Why are HAIs considered significant risks to patient safety?
They are the most common, significant, and preventable risks.
p.20
Roles and Responsibilities in Infection Control
Who can perform cleaning tasks in non-clinical areas?
Anyone; the responsibility should be shared between staff.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
What should you do if soap and water are not available?
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
p.8
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What are the key steps for managing reusable medical devices like ultrasound transducers?
Cleaning, high-level disinfection, storage, and traceability.
p.3
Clinical Governance in Infection Prevention
What is the priority for the health service's management team in Clinical Governance?
Preventing disease transmission.
p.9
Hand Hygiene Practices
What does Routine Hand Hygiene involve?
The use of soap/solution and water or a TGA approved clinical alcohol-based hand rub.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is one way communicable diseases spread?
Through physical contact with an infected person.
p.6
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is an endogenous infection?
An infection that comes from the patient's own skin flora.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is droplet transmission?
Spread of diseases like influenza through respiratory droplets.
p.12
Standard and Transmission Precautions
When must standard precautions be applied?
For each episode of patient care and at all times when handling blood and bodily fluids.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
What is the primary purpose of effective handwashing?
To remove dirt, germs, and prevent the spread of infections.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What activities require the use of PPE?
Dealing with biological spills, known or suspected highly transmissible pathogens, and cleaning and handling clinical waste.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What types of PPE may be included for healthcare tasks?
Gloves, surgical masks, P2/N95 respirators, protective eyewear, and long-sleeved fluid-resistant gowns or plastic aprons.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
How should used PPE be disposed of?
Appropriately, following healthcare protocols.
p.8
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What are some components of maintaining a clean environment in healthcare?
Clinical cleaning, biological spill management, and clinical waste segregation.
p.3
Clinical Governance in Infection Prevention
What is the shared responsibility in Clinical Governance?
Managers and staff share responsibility and accountability for delivering safe, effective, high-quality, and continuously improving healthcare.
p.10
Hand Hygiene Practices
Does the use of gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene?
No, gloves do not negate the need to perform hand hygiene.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
How can food lead to the spread of communicable diseases?
Through contamination, as seen with salmonella and E. coli.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is vector transmission?
Spread of diseases through insect or animal bites.
p.16
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
When is PPE required in healthcare settings?
In all cases where there is potential contact with blood or body fluids.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the third level in the hierarchy of controls?
Engineering controls to isolate people from the hazard.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What is the fourth level of the hierarchy of controls?
Administrative controls to change the way people work.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
What technique should be used while washing hands?
Rub all parts of the hands, including between fingers and under nails.
p.8
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What are some common IPC risks in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy?
Hand hygiene, aseptic technique, reusable medical devices, and maintaining a clean environment.
p.8
Roles and Responsibilities in Infection Control
What is essential for staff education in IPC?
Compliance with hand hygiene, aseptic techniques, and proper use of PPE.
p.14
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What are transmission precautions used for?
For patients known or suspected to be infected with highly transmissible pathogens.
p.13
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What do transmission precautions require?
Extra barriers to prevent transmission.
p.14
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
Name some diseases associated with transmission precautions.
Active TB, Bird flu, SARS, Measles, Chicken Pox (Varicella).
p.10
Hand Hygiene Practices
What could happen if gloves have defects?
It could lead to contamination of the patient or the healthcare worker with microorganisms.
p.6
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What role do contaminated surfaces or equipment play in infections?
They can be sources of exogenous infections.
p.12
Standard and Transmission Precautions
What is included in standard precautions for managing spills?
Biological spill management.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
What should you use to wash your hands effectively?
Soap and clean running water.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
What is the importance of drying hands after washing?
To remove any remaining germs and prevent recontamination.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
When is it especially important to wash your hands?
Before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
p.17
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
What is the function of long-sleeved fluid-resistant gowns?
They protect the clothing of staff from contamination with blood or body fluids.
p.11
Hand Hygiene Practices
Why is handwashing considered a key practice in infection control?
It significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens.
p.9
Hand Hygiene Practices
When should hand hygiene be performed?
Before, during, and after a procedure requiring aseptic technique.
p.10
Hand Hygiene Practices
What are some barriers to effective hand hygiene?
Artificial finger nails, jewellery, damaged skin, inappropriate glove use, long sleeved clothing.
p.14
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What is the purpose of transmission precautions?
To prevent transmission of specific infectious diseases.
p.10
Hand Hygiene Practices
Why can gloves still pose a risk for contamination?
Gloves can have small defects that are not visible to the naked eye.
p.20
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What surfaces are considered high touch in a healthcare setting?
Reception desk, keyboards, phones, change cubicles, door handles, light switches, access points, and waiting room chairs.
p.20
Roles and Responsibilities in Infection Control
Who is responsible for cleaning clinical equipment after each episode of care?
The clinical staff member performing the examination.
p.18
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
Why is fit checking important for PPE?
To ensure a proper seal and effective protection against airborne pathogens.
p.2
Transmission of Communicable Diseases
What diseases can be spread through airborne transmission?
Chicken pox, COVID, tuberculosis, and measles.
p.19
Cleaning and Disinfection in Healthcare
What must a disinfectant do to effectively kill pathogens?
Have sufficient contact time, be used at the correct concentration, and be applied to a clean, dry surface.
p.7
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
How does the hierarchy of controls relate to IPC?
It provides a systematic approach to reducing infection risks.
p.8
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Principles
What procedures require aseptic technique?
Interventional procedures, IV insertion, and CVAD access.
